Let's talk about mine and my man's training. Um, holy cow, it's been awhile since we've hit the half marathon mark in our miles! I admit, I was excited to hit that number this weekend. I know it makes me sound crazy that I look forward to hitting higher milage, but there is definitely a mental/physical victory that happens when I achieve these goals. I will say, running the longer miles is getting interesting. To break up the boredom, the same ol same ol, we are trying different routes. Um, it felt crazy parking at one of our favorite parks, running to our favorite greenway and then running back to the park where our car was parked. You can't give up at that point…you have to get back to your car somehow (that would be running). Though, the run to the greenway seemed fast to me (well, technically it was faster than I normally run which I think is due to running with cars instead of the peaceful woods), we didn't really plan out the return route well enough. It left us having to run 3 circles around the park and that park in particular is HARD with a lot of hills. We earned that 13.1!

We started the run in 98% humidity which is hard folks! It's like running under water! At about mile 10 the rain finally came it. It felt amazing! Thankfully it brought the humidity down to a cozy 85%. It's pretty crazy that 85% humidity is cozy, but I guess it's all relative at that point.

My fuel for this run was a pack of jelly belly running beans, a strawberry pedialyte (we run with the packets to add to our water bottles on our belts) and a lot of water! After the run I immediately ate my cup of pickles and drank the juice. Did you know that pickle juice is supposed to reduce cramping after an intense workout? Also, I have to admit, I crave pickles like crazy when I sweat like that and all those sweets during running end up gagging me. Tony brought a banana for me too, but I could NOT eat anything sweet. I need to come up with some savory running fuel…

I see a here that it looks like I don't work legs at all anymore, but I do. Normally I have some body weight leg exercises going during my HIIT routines. I'm also working on my planks more these days. They are my favorite core moves and I need to get back at them more regularly.

This weekend will be a 15 miler for us. It will be our first time hitting 15! Running with a plan definitely changes things up for me. I have more of an understanding of how my clients feel too with following a plan as apposed to doing whatever whenever when it comes to working out. I will say that I'm feeling a lot stronger on my runs now. I'm not hurting at all like I used to which is weird, but also comforting. It's very interesting seeing how this all plays out...

I always want pretzels and green olives LOL. And training in this weather kind of sucks, but you'll feel like you're flying by Oct when it starts to cool off. It really can be hard to fit in all the weight workouts with the running. I had to suck it up and do legs yesterday at lunch with already sore legs from a morning speed work. Yowzers. And the plan thing? Ugh I'm finally putting myself on one and I struggle with it so much. But it definitely puts you in your clients' seat.

Pickles? That's a new post-running craving to me! Hey - if it works, do it. :)

I wonder if the lack of aches is the consistency of running at a certain volume? Since you don't usually follow a plan, you probably had more fluctuations in your weekly mileage before? Just a thought!

you two are awesome! what a fantastic team, and I love your fueling choices :) I always crave carby things after a long run! M and I are slowly increasing our runs to do our own 13.1 to commemorate Nala one year later, in September, maybe you two can run a mile or two for her too, you'll have plenty of miles to run after all :) XOXO

That is amazing! Do you watch Extreme Makeover Weight Loss? I was so impressed this last week when a lady (even smaller than me!) crushed a half marathon and kept on going. It's people like you Sarena who inspire me!